Tuesday, December 18, 2007

New Hampshire author displays his own computer art in his second novel.

Joshua Patrick Dudley, author of Lost in Oz, eagerly awaits the release of his second novel. The first installment of the saga, follows a group of four teenagers on a stumbled upon journey down the yellow brick road. The group's presence in Oz has altered the story and when the story begins to change around them, they must deal with the consequences. Lost in Oz has been receiving great reviews. Chris Dulabone from the Baum Bugle, the official Wizard of Oz fan club magazine, said, "The very concept of Lost in Oz is nothing short of brilliant. It is something I haven't seen done before anywhere."

The sequel sounds just as exciting as the first. A new power has risen in the land of Oz, known only as the "Dark Wizard." The Dark Wizard intends to steal Glinda's Great Book of Records, which keeps track of everything that has ever happened in Oz, as well as each event as it currently happens. He plans to use it to set all the most evil plots of destruction into motion at once. Joshua, Tamara, Tommy and Laura are also searching for the Great Book of Records, to erase the fact that they had ever been in Oz. The only problem is: Joshua is stuck in Mifkets Asylum, so when his prophecy comes calling in Oz, who will pay the price? Lost in Oz: Rise of the Dark Wizard will be released on March 13, 2008.

Mr. Dudley is also pleased to announce the the sequel will feature a piece of his own artwork for every chapter in the book. "I love writing, but graphic art has always been my secret hobby, " he says adding the the deluxe edition of the first book also featured two of his pieces.

For more information on Lost in Oz and the exciting sequel, please visit www.LostInOzBook.com

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Joshua Patrick Dudley, author of the novel Lost in Oz, welcomed the Christmas season with spirit earlier this week, when he donated over 500 copies of his book to schools and libraries all over the country.

" 'Tis the season for giving and there's no better gift then a book," Joshua said as he hand delivered a few copies to the Nashua Public Library.

Joshua believes firmly in reading to and with children and has started a new reading campaign that parodies the famous milk mustache ads. The "got books?" campaign will kick off in February of 2008 and will feature some famous minds of literature.

With the sequel to Lost in Oz due out next year, Joshua vows to spend the rest of his time writing and giving back to the community. "There's no place like home (for the holidays)."

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

I recently received quite a few letters and e-mails from concerned fans. The Lost in Oz Deluxe Hardcover has been released but has yet to make onto all bookshelves. It is available now through www.LostInOzBook.com and Lulu.com. I apologize for any inconvenience and, as always, thank you for reading.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

The deluxe hardcover edition of Lost in Oz are now available through www.LostInOzBook.com! Bookstores are still receiving shipments and you can expect to see this item available online and in stores within the week!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Philip Potempa of the Times in Chicago, had this to say about Lost in Oz:

Book it

While at this year's 26th Annual Wizard of Oz Festival, one of the visiting guests I met was a young author from New Hampshire named Joshua Dudley, who is continuing the story traditions started by Frank L. Baum when he originally penned the first of 40 books about the land of Oz way back in 1900.

Dudley, 21, can be proud of his new book, which is also his first book, "Lost in Oz" (May 2007 www.Lulu.com $10.95).

It's not only selling well, it also has a great story, including the author's own experiences and voice as one of the characters.

It's all about four friends who find themselves lost in a mysterious place and all sharing the same goal: to find a way home. (Sound familiar?) Of course ... their only way home is to catch up with a little girl wearing magic shoes. For more information, visit www.lostinozbook.com.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

September 22, 2007 –Recent literary release, Lost in Oz, is getting a fresh start with the release of a hardcover deluxe edition!

The new edition of the hit novel, that has sold tens of thousands of copies since its release, will feature more artwork, as requested by young fans.

“At all my appearances the children who have read my book have only one wish,” Joshua Dudley,author of the novel laughs. “They want more pictures!”

Wish granted! Not only will the book feature more art by original Oz artists W.W. Desnlowand John R. Neill, but original artwork by the author will also be displayed with pride.

“It’s so exciting to express myself in multiple ways and I happy to share some of my artwork.”

Joshua also states that the deluxe edition has had a few story updates and he feelsthat the book is finally perfect in his eyes. After the deluxe edition is released, fans shouldkeep their eyes peeled in March of 2008 for the highly anticipatated sequel,“Lost in Oz Rise of the Dark Wizard.”

Lost In Oz is available now at all online retailers including, Barnes and Noble, Target and Borders.

Jean Nelson, founder of the festival and Joshua DudleyThis past weekend I finally attended the 26th Annual Indiana Wizard of Oz Festival in Valparaiso, IN. I had a completely wonderful time. Thursday we were met at the airport by Carla Sellers and her mother Sandi and two beautiful limousines. Riding in the limos with us was John Henson, who works with Broadway Bears and the Broadway Cares foundations, Jerry Marren the lollipop kid and his wife, Elizabeth and Roger and Charlene Baum. Roger is the great grandson to L. Frank Baum and also an Oz author. We were all surprised to find out that we had purchased Cairn Terrier puppies from JackiesPups, which is a great distance for both of us to travel. It’s such a small world!We attended the welcome dinner that night where my manager Tim and I saw some familiar faces from past festivals including, John Fricke and Donna Stewart-Hardway, which is always a pleasure. I was also very pleased to meet Brenda Maynard, the director of the event and the woman responsible for my attendance. Everyone we met, of course, was a pleasure. Friday morning was probably the most pivotal moment in my entire weekend. Tim and I got to meet our ambassador for the weekend, Janet Korzow. Janet has fought off many challenges in her life and in the short time we spent together, I feel she gave me a new outlook on the world. I was truly blessed to have her this weekend. We also had her husband Nick as an ambassador, he was also a great companion and always ready to help. Tim found solace in Nick as another sports fan and they had many great conversations, while I would chat with Janet about Oz! Two amazing people who will forever be in our hearts. Friday evening was the Gala and we enjoyed many beautiful moments including a performance by John Fricke. I sat at one of the head tables of the celebrities and was the first to be interviewed. I was terribly nervous as I knew very few people. Luckily John Fricke went easy on me and I was able to answer my question to the best of my knowledge and share a wonderful memory about myself and my grandmother, to whom my first book was dedicated. The night was beautiful and so was the event. Tim and I returned to the hotel, eager to rest and prepare for the next day. Saturday morning opened a bit chilly and we shivered our way through the parade, twice. Seeing the smiles on all the kids faces made me think about when my parents would take me to parades and I jump into the street after candy. We then moved into the celebrity court, that I shared with the munchkins, John Fricke, John Henson and Michael Sieward, who displayed his beautiful Judy Garland dress collection. The event was a smash and I got to meet some great new fans of the book. Some had already read it and discussed their thoughts with me. It was truly one of the most awarding experiences I’ve had. Sunday started with the breakfast with the munchkins and we were again interviewed. This time I was asked about the sequel, Lost In Oz Rise of the Dark Wizard, which I decided to be more discreet about and create a feeling of mystery (haha). People who saw the cover artwork for the second book were very impressed which made me feel great. I love writing but I also love creating my own artwork for my books. I’m working with a new illustrator for the second book and I can’t wait to reveal some of his work. At the end of the festival, I almost shed a tear thinking of all the fun I had, but I was happy to return home. After all, “there’s no place like home.”

Thursday, September 06, 2007

We leave in exactly one week from today and just wanted to give you an update.

On Thursday, September 13, 2007 Joshua will be at the airport in Manchester, NH. Press is scheduled to arrive at 7:15am and all those that would like to meet Mr. Dudley and have them sign a book, should arrive around 7:00am to form a line.

Monday, September 03, 2007

Local author, Joshua Patrick Dudley follows the yellow brick road all the way to the biggest “Oz” festival in the World.

September 3, 2007 –Joshua Patrick Dudley, author of recent literary release, Lost in Oz, is elated to find that his appearance at the world’s largest “Oz” festival has been confirmed.

Joshua is scheduled to leave his home state on September 13th, 2007 at approximately 9:00 a.m. from the Manchester Boston Regional Airport where he may, as rumored, have a crew of friends and fans to send him off with good wishes and luck. He will be arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport at approximately 11:00 a.m. where he will travel to Valparaiso Indiana’s 26th Annual Wizard of Oz Festival.

The Valparaiso “Oz” Festival is noted as the world’s largest gathering celebrating all things “Oz.” “The whole team is quite excited for him,” states publicist Rachel Arnold. “The Valparaiso Festival has been a dream of his since I’ve known him. For Joshua to be able to attend the event with his freshman attempt as an author, I know is a tremendous deal for him.”

Joshua will spend his days at the festival very busy starting with a breakfast with the MGM motion picture cast of munchkins, and then heading to parades, autograph signings, and an appearance at the Judy/Oz Exchange.

Sunday, September 02, 2007

September 14 - 16, 2007Chesterton, Indianawww.wizardofozfestival.orgWhat is the Indiana Wizard of Oz Festival, you ask? Well if you have never been here before, get ready for a surprise! Come experience the Oz magic! We feature the actual actors who played the Munchkins in the 1939 movie classic "The Wizard of Oz"! Yes real Munchkins and Munchkins by Marriage! And if that isn’t exciting enough we have award-winning authors, including Joshua Patrick Dudley, and notable Oz memorabilia collectors. Plus a whole gaggle of costumed characters, which smaller attendees are sure have just stepped down from the movie screen. We have Dorothy and her three best friends. A few witches (a good one and a wicked one) and a wizard. Plus a flock of flying monkeys (well actually one monkette and a monkey in training.) Don’t forget a magical Princess who is partial to Teddy Bears. Puppets and singers and artists, oh my! It isn’t humbug; Come and see for yourself! We encourage you all to come dressed as your favorite Oz character. CONTACT INFO: info@wizardofozfestival.org; 219.983.1691

Sunday, August 26, 2007

August 27, 2007 – “Lost In Oz,” a new novel by Joshua Patrick Dudley, examines what happens when the classic stories are given a modern twist. The exciting novel follows twins Joshua and Tamara and their two friends, Laura and Tommy,” down the ever-famous yellow brick road.

The group of four only finds trouble on their way home when they discover that because of their arrival, Oz has been changed forever. Not knowing where to turn, they realize they are lost in the magical land.

Originally conceived by L. Frank Baum in 1899, the Land of Oz and its inhabitants have served as entertainment for millions of families all over the world for over a hundred years. In the late 80’s, a “sort-of” sequel to the 1939 MGM Classic "The Wizard of Oz," called "Return to Oz," was released. Audiences did not receive it well and wondered what happened to the whimsical score and happy dancing.

“People don’t realize that a lot of dark things happen in the Land of Oz,” Mr. Dudley informs us. “There is a rule that says no one dies in the Land of Oz, but rules are made to be broken. It's time for Oz to be reborn.”

Mr. Dudley insists that his book isn’t scary for children. “There isn’t any death in the first book, but eventually it’s something we all have to deal with,” he states. “There is so much to do with the stories of Oz; I don’t feel the saga will ever be over.”

Since its release, the modern twist on Oz by Joshua has sold 85,000 copies (sales generated mostly by live appearances and Oz festivals) and is still climbing the charts, something that excites his management team. “Joshua has done a tremendous job and is overwhelmingly happy with the results,” Tim King, head of management congratulated his client. “He’s working on the sequel, but it’s very hush-hush. No one has heard much about it yet. Not even me.”

The sequel, “Lost In Oz: Rise of the Dark Wizard” is due out March 13th of next year (we’ve included the promo art) and will follow the group of friends back to Oz in search of Glinda’s Great Book of records, unfortunately the new power in Oz, the Dark Wizard, is also searching for the book. Until the sequels release Mr. Dudley is keeping busy. He will be appearing at the Indiana Oz Festival, the biggest Oz festival in the world, in the early September.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

It has come to my attention that Joshua Patrick Dudley wishes to promote his book Lost in Oz on the Oprah Winfrey Show. I don't know a lot about the medium of television; although based on what I've been able to gather, this seems significant.

Lost in Oz is a wonderful story about a group of teenagers that find themselves lost in Oz. Their only hope to get home is to find the girl with the silver slippers. I've always enjoyed seeing projects like this, and I wish Mr. Dudley the best.

His publicist is distributing the following announcement.

I NEED YOUR HELP!

Friends, I need as many people as possible to call up the Oprah Winfrey show THIS WEEK and suggest the idea that Joshua Dudley and Lost In Oz appear on her show. Below is all the information you will need. I can’t thank you enough for your help and support in this matter. It truly means a lot to all involved with Lost In Oz.

HARPO PRODUCTIONS/ THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW(312) 633-1000- Ask to speak to a producer about a story idea.

(SOME INFORMATION)“Lost In Oz,” a new novel by Joshua Patrick Dudley, examines what happens when the classic stories are given a modern twist. The exciting novel follows twins Joshua and Tamara and their two friends, Laura and Tommy,” down the ever-famous yellow brick road.

The group of four only finds trouble on their way home when they discover that because of their arrival, Oz has been changed forever. Not knowing where to turn, they realize they are lost in the magical land.

Originally conceived by L. Frank Baum in 1899, the Land of Oz and its inhabitants have served as entertainment for millions of families all over the world for over a hundred years. In the late 80’s, a “sort-of” sequel to the 1939 MGM Classic "The Wizard of Oz," called "Return to Oz," was released. Audiences did not receive it well and wondered what happened to the whimsical score and happy dancing.

“People don’t realize that a lot of dark things happen in the Land of Oz,” Mr. Dudley informs us. “There is a rule that says no one dies in the Land of Oz, but rules are made to be broken. It's time for Oz to be reborn.”Since its release, the modern twist on Oz by Joshua has sold almost 85,000 copies and is still climbing the charts.

MAIN IDEAJoshua will be appearing at the Indiana Oz Festival in September and it would be a perfect opportunity for him to appear on the show. Other celebrity guests from the Oz community who would be available at the Indiana Oz Festival to appear on Oprah are the surviving Munchkins from the MGM movie and a large player in the Oz community and fellow author, John Fricke.

Please ask them to visit the website at www.LostInOzBook.com

They can contact us at Management@joshuapatrickdudley.com or directly through the website.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

August 19, 2007 – “Lost In Oz,” a new novel by Joshua Patrick Dudley, examines what happens when the classic stories are given a modern twist. The exciting novel follows twins Joshua and Tamara and their two friends, Laura and Tommy,” down the ever-famous yellow brick road.

The group of four only finds trouble on their way home when they discover that because of their arrival, Oz has been changed forever. Not knowing where to turn, they realize they are lost in the magical land.

Originally conceived by L. Frank Baum in 1899, the Land of Oz and its inhabitants have served as entertainment for millions of families all over the world for over a hundred years. In the late 80’s, a “sort-of” sequel to the 1939 MGM Classic "The Wizard of Oz," called "Return to Oz," was released. Audiences did not receive it well and wondered what happened to the whimsical score and happy dancing.

“People don’t realize that a lot of dark things happen in the Land of Oz,” Mr. Dudley informs us. “There is a rule that says no one dies in the Land of Oz, but rules are made to be broken. It's time for Oz to be reborn.”

Mr. Dudley insists that his book isn’t scary for children. “There isn’t any death in the first book, but eventually it’s something we all have to deal with,” he states. “There is so much to do with the stories of Oz; I don’t feel the saga will ever be over.”

Since its release, the modern twist on Oz by Joshua has sold almost 85,000 copies, sales generated mostly at Oz festivals, and is still climbing the charts, something that excites his management team. “Joshua has done a tremendous job and is overwhelmingly happy with the results,” Tim King, head of management congratulated his client. “He’s working on the sequel, but it’s very hush-hush. No one has heard much about it yet. Not even me.”

The sequel is due out in March of next year, but until then Mr. Dudley is keeping busy. He will be appearing at the Indiana Oz Festival, the biggest Oz festival in the world, in the early September.

Lost In Oz by Joshua Patrick Dudley has been sold out on Barnes and Noble and Amazon for two days. It will be back in stock at both stores starting tomorrow, Sunday August 19, 2007.

We have been get an overwhelming number of responses on the book and have tried to answer them all as quickly as possible. We are still digging through the stack of mail and email and we will contact all you fans shortly. Thanks for writing!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

The Daily Ozmapolitan has published the picture of Joshua Dudley and John Fricke that recently appeared on this news page. The photo should be the first picture to load under "The Magic Picture" heading.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Hey! Turns out there's another episode of Aaron Pacentine's Returning to Oz up. In this almost half-hour episode, Aaron interviews Joshua Patrick Dudley, author of the book Lost in Oz.

In this episode, Aaron gives Joshua a very solid interview, asking him about how he writes his stories, what's coming up, and Joshua as a person.

Joshua reveals some very interesting items about Lost in Oz, but I'd suggest you listen to the episode to hear what they are, or keep an eye on the official Lost in Oz website.

This episode doesn't have much on the many incarnations of Oz as heard in previous episodes, BUT this is not a problem at all. It sticks to a main focus and continues from there, so it's a very strong episode in itself.

Another thing I noted right away is that the sound quality has improved over past episodes. Yes, you may want to turn up your volume a bit, but it's very good nonetheless.

Once again, it's an episode worth the listening!

(And no, I'm not saying nice things just because Aaron is also the current host of The Wonders of Oz. I really enjoyed the episode.)

Woody, an average joe and myspace enthusiast, posted this about Lost In Oz in the Wizard of Oz group on Myspace:(Copy and pasted directly from myspace, the misspellings are his own.)

Posted: Jul 14, 2007 10:33 AM omg after i l;ooked here and found out bout lost in ox i saw oit and liked it very much then i went to the book store and pordered the book dont worry i wasnt exspectoing the book to be the show any way i read it and its f ing coooll these teens from new hamsire find them selfs in oz and stuff happens and they act like normal [people not like little moral people in fairy tales and they meet up wit dorathy and her ganf and fight them a few times if u like books u habve fun reading check it out i loled alot reading it i couldnt put it down

The 27th episode of "Returning to Oz", VideosForFamily.com's talk show on Oz, is now available! In this episode we join Joshua Dudley and Aaron Pacentine, as we devote the entire episode to Joshua's book series, "LOST IN OZ". Joshua not only talks about the series but his time at one of the recent Oz festivals, in Lancaster, New York!

Monday, July 30, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJoshua Patrick Dudley celebrates the release of his novel, Lost In Oz and appears in the “got milk?” ad campaign!

August 1, 2007— Joshua Patrick Dudley, a 21-year-old New Hampshire resident, has released his first book, Lost in Oz. Since it’s release on July 15, it has sold over 40,000 copies. When four friends find themselves lost in a mysterious place, their only goal is to find a way home. When the only way home is through a young girl and her magical shoes, how much are they willing to sacrifice to catch her?

The book is available everywhere now. Including all online retailers.

Recently, Joshua has been traveling around to New Hampshire schools, speaking with students grades 3-12 about Lost in Oz and creative writing. The response was overwhelming. “The students really enjoyed Joshua and his presentation,”Carol Soucey, principle of Hooksett Memorial School, gushed about her former student. “They especially loved that Joshua created a new short story in every class, with the aid of the students, of course.”

On the weekend of July 14th, Joshua appeared in Lancaster, New York as the Lancaster Opera House hosted The Wizard of Oz Festival. Joshua sold out of books, signed autographs and discussed his thought process while writing the novel.

Joshua is also scheduled to appear at the Chesterton, Indiana Oz Festivallater this year in September. For now, he is busy with his new fame. Joshua recently appeared in not one, but two, “got milk?” ads. The first featuring him, Lost In Oz and a white milk mustache. The second ad features a younger side of Joshua, up-close with a chocolate milk mustache.

After appearing in the milk ads, Joshua decided to start his own campaign. “got books?” Focuses on the importance of reading in a child’s life,whether they read themselves or if their parents read to them. More information aboutthe campaign can be found the ook’s official site.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

It was a beautiful morning on Friday, July 13, 2007, at approximately 8am we departed for our journey to Lancaster, NY for their Wizard of Oz Festival. I was highly anxious, this was my first Oz Festival and it was coinciding with the release of my book! This was going to be a huge weekend for me.

We made great time as we journeyed through my state of New Hampshire and we quickly found ourselves crossing borders. After a short lunch break and 7 and a half hours of driving, we arrived in Lancaster, NY.

My team and I checked in to the hotel and settled down for a quick nap, which lead to numerous other activities, all nothing like napping. After playing some wiffel ball and resting off the long drive, we went to sleep in anticpation for Tomorrows festival.

In the morning, we headed down to the Lancaster Opera House and stopped in for a bite to eat at the Broadway Deli. To my surprise and amazement, we discovered two munchkins! Tom, the Director of the Lancaster Opera House, introduced was to Meinhardt Raabe and Karl Slover. I would also eventually meet Ruth Robinson Duccini and Donna Stewart-Hardway, but that's later in the story.

While enjoying sandwhiches with the Munchkins, Karl told me many stories from the many travels that he has been on. He had done some pretty incredible things, but the best part of his stories were the more personal aspects. He even told a story about Meinhardt whilst Meinhardt was sitting there unaware. The Munchkins are some of the best people I've ever met and I can only pray that I get to spend some more time with them.

After lunch was over, it was time for business. We headed inside and set up shop. I met a few of the other Festival Frequenters who all brought a smile and a positive attitude to my weekend! Oz is truly a happy place, the festival goers thought so as well. By the time the weekend was over, I had sold out of books and made some wonderful friends.

John Fricke, an "Oz Legend" if you will, gave me some great advise about writing that I someday might share. Little did I know that I had read some of Mr. Fricke's work before ever meeting him. I had purchased a copy of 100 Years of Oz at an antiques store in my hometown of Nashua. It was an excellent read but I paid no attention to the authors name. It wasn't until yesterday that I discovered Mr. Fricke had already influenced me without my knowing it!

It's a small world and Oz makes it that much better! Thank you Lancaster. I'll never forget my first festival.

"I don't think people really understand the importance of books and reading in a child's life." Joshua stated, when asked what motivated him to start the campaign. "It's one of the most important things a child should learn to do first, because it will help them succeed later. My mother read to me as a child, and I feel it helped me through my entire life."

Joshua will be appearing in the first "got books?" ad and there are some other famous authors who are slated to appear.

For more information, please visit www.LostInOzBook.com and click on the "got books?" logo.

Monday, July 16, 2007

SAVE EMAIL PRINT POPULAR + Larger Font + Smaller Font In the town of Chesterton, Ind. (population 10,488), residents flock to the streets every fall, as they have for the past

26 years, to revel in the town’s famous “Wizard of Oz” Festival.

Chesterton, nestled between South Bend and Chicago, is just the sort of town you might expect to fall victim to an errant tornado, full of just the sort of corn-fed folks who might be looking for an escape into Technicolor fantasy. Its long-running festival has been lovingly mimicked in towns small and large around the country — including Kansas.

For Thomas T. Kazmierczak, executive director of the Lancaster Opera House, it’s high time such a festival made its mark on Buffalo, too. Starting today and running until Tuesda y, the Opera House will feature Buffalo’s inaugural “Wizard of Oz” Festival, complete with screenings, appearances from four Munchkins from the 1939 film and expert commentary on the making of the film and the life of Judy Garland.

Among the expert guests coming to town for the festival is John Fricke, an author and documentarian whose films on Garland won two Emmy Awards. Fricke, a professed Garland and “Wizard of Oz” fanatic, will host two events: “The Joy of Judy Garland” at noon and 8 p.m. today and “Making of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ ” at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Fricke remembers the very first time he saw the film that started his lifelong obsession with all things Oz.

“It was Nov. 3, 1956. That was the first night ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was ever on network television, anywhere,” Fricke said. “I’m 56 years old now, and this has been a part of my day-to-day life since I was 5.”

And Fricke isn’t alone — by any stretch. Although children today are more likely to be caught up in Harry Potter mania, Fricke said, there isn’t a soul over age 3 who doesn’t have some knowledge or affinity for the land of Oz.

In addition to Fricke’s talks, some of the Munchkins — now in their 80s and 90s — will be on hand at 11:30 a.m. Sunday for brunch at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga.

For those who don’t see the appeal of a bunch of geriatric Munchkins, plenty of other Oz-themed options abound. Garland costume collector Michael Siewert will exhibit his extensive collection of costumes on Garland-sized mannequins starting tonight at 6, and a release party for a new book by Joshua Dudley titled “Lost in Oz” will take place during tonight’s opening gala at the Opera House.

For Fricke, the “Wizard of Oz” phenomenon is so “remarkably cross-generational” that the original seems never to shed popularity, despite reinventions like the musicals “The Wiz” and “Wicked.”

“There’s very little in the world that has that kind of purity anymore,” Fricke said.

“ ‘Live Earth’ is for people in their teens and 20s and 30s. The Super Bowl is for men,” Fricke said. “ ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was for everybody, is for everybody.”•

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Mr. Jared Davis of the Royal Blog of Oz had this to say about the latest addition to the online radio series:

Well, episode 24 is up, and here's the review!

Well, if the last couple of episodes didn't impress you, this one should. Will. Unless your heart is made of stone.

Anyways, the show is really in two parts: there is a discussion with Aaron Pacentine, Aaron Schultz, newcomer Sean McGuire (how many Oz fans are out there named Sean?), and the returning Joshua Dudley, author of the book Lost In Oz, which I look forward to reading soon; and then we transition over to a very special interview with a singer named Rolla.

Very early in the first part, Aaron (Pacentine) asks how Sean, Aaron Schultz, and Joshua feel about the transition in the Oz books from the early Baum books to the new ones, like Joshua's Lost in Oz. A very interesting question, but from the answers given, I'm not sure everyone completely understood it. However, Joshua, at least, was able to answer the question very well, and also lets the public know a bit about the story of his book.

Aaron Schultz also talks about the characters that had, at different stages in pre-production, been considered for inclusion in Disney's Return to Oz. Also mentioned is some of the Oz characters in the famous Coronation scene, one of my personal favorite scenes in the film.

Also, there is a discussion about Oz conventions. Some of the "Returning To Oz crew" will be at some of them, others will not. So, those of you who have the time and resources to attend one may want to keep your eyes open!

Now, we interview Rolla, who tells us about her entrance into the world of music, and also her opinions on MGM's The Wizard Of Oz, and also treats us all to a wonderful a cappella rendition of Over The Rainbow.

Here's what Jared Davis of the Royal Blog of Oz had to say about Lost in Oz.

LOST IN OZ by Joshua Dudley Lost in Oz is not your ordinary Oz book. But then, it's not about your ordinary Oz. (Whatever that is.)

Before I finally got the opportunity to read it, I'd heard mixed opinions. Some loved it, some hated it.

I found Lost in Oz to be a very enjoyable book. This book is not meant for those who prefer to have Oz just exactly as L. Frank Baum originally envisioned it. This Oz definitely takes twists and turns that he would have never intended. If you enjoy science fiction, then you will find Lost in Oz a delight.

The book tells of four modern-day teenagers who have found themselves suddenly transported into the Land of Oz... except if you're familiar with the original books, it will seem quite unlike what you expected. Instead of being simply transported to Oz, the four find themselves actually in the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, back in 1899.

The four teens, Joshua (yes, his last name is Dudley), his sister Tamara and their friends Tommy and Laura have to find some way to get home, but when they accidentally alter the events of the story, will it play out all right in the end? And can they survive dangers like a mermaid king who finds human flesh a delicacy and poppy pixies, as well as the more familiar terrors of the Wicked Witch of the West, the Winged Monkeys, Kalidahs, and... Dorothy?

In the story, Joshua has not read any of the Oz books and only knows Oz from the MGM movie. This is mentioned several times, and could get those unfamiliar with the original books interested in picking them up.

And the ending will surprise you. Can you ever really go home again?

Fans of the original books may find this story a little hard to take. If you're an Oz "purist," you will probably not like this book. If you only know Oz from the classic MGM film, you may like it if you can swallow science fiction. If you're a fan of Oz alterations, like Wicked, Illusive Arts' Dorothy, and Was, you will find this a delight.

All in all, I found it a wonderful book, and I truly could not put it down until I finished it. If you can take Oz a little mixed up, here's the book for you!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE Joshua Patrick Dudley will celebrate the release of his novel, Lost In Oz, at the Lancaster, New York Wizard of Oz Festival on July 14th and 15th 2007.

July 14, 2007— Joshua Patrick Dudley, a 21-year-old New Hampshire resident, has released his first book, Lost in Oz. When four friends find themselves lost in a mysterious place, their only goal is to find a way home. When the only way home is through a young girl and her magical shoes, how much are they willing to sacrifice to catch her?

Told in first person, present tense, Lost in Oz relates the adventures of protagonists Joshua and Tamara along with their friends, Tommy and Laura, as they travel down the yellow brick road in this all new action packed adventure. Along the way, they will come to terms with aspects of this amazing fantasy world and how it affects them personally; be it a realization about their inherent natures or a rationalization of the dark deeds that they need to commit in order to get home. Readers will be surprised when they meet Dorothy Gale and her friends for the first time. As the characters retrace Dorothy’s famous path, things begin to change, and the original story is completely altered by their interaction with it. A new prophecy for Oz and its people will be revealed in this exciting new novel. Oz will never be the same.

The book is available online at www.LostInOzBook.com , www.borders.com, www.bn.com, www.amazon.com , www.booksamillion.com and will be in bookstores on July 15th 2007.

Starting July 14th, Joshua will be appearing in Lancaster, New York as the Lancaster Opera House hosts The Wizard of Oz Festival. Joshua will be selling books, signing autographs and discussing his thought process while writing the novel. Other festivities include: Brunch with the Munchkins, A movie with the Munchkins, a Judy Garland gown gallery, a behind-the-scenes look at the MGM Classic hosted by John Fricke, costume contests and much, much more.

For more information, please visit:www.LostInOzBook.com or www.lancopera.org

Joshua previously appeared on episode 19 of Videosforfamily.com's online radio show "Returning to Oz." The positive feedback from his first appearance has led to yet another invitation to join the show.

In episode 24, Joshua chats with other guests/Oz enthusiasts Aaron Pacentine and Aaron Schultz about the transition of Oz into a new age. Joshua also talks about his upcoming appearances at Oz festivals and a slew of other topics.

Joshua will be celebrating the release of his book on July 14th and 15th at the Lancaster Wizard of Oz Festival in Lancaster, NY.

The festival features other activities, such as:-A brunch with the Munchkins - the surviving munchins of MGM Oz movie sit down and chat with festival-goers.-Move with the Munchkins - view the MGM classic the Wizard of Oz like never before, when you watch the movie with the Munchkins.-Judy Garland dress gala-Oz costume contestsand much, much more!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Today, Joshua returned to one of his old schools and gave presentations in several classrooms. The response was overwhelmingly great!In each classroom, Joshua introduced his book, himself and the stories of Oz. After the students had an understanding of Lost In Oz, Joshua moved on to more interactive sessions. The students helped Joshua write short stories, while discussing story and character structure, obstacles and how to overcome them, and the overall process of writing a story.

Joshua was quoted saying, "the experience was very rewarding. The kids made me feel great, they loved the book and we had a great time!"

Monday, April 16, 2007

The Royal Blog of Oz reviewed the 19th epidesode of the returning to Oz radio show, featuring Joshua Patrick Dudley, here's what they had to say:

Last night I discovered that the 19th episode of Aaron Pacentine's "Returning to Oz" has been released onto the Internet. Aaron usually sends an e-mail and posts this at the International Wizard of Oz Club's message board, but none this time.

In this episode, Aaron, Aaron Schultz, Jason Cottle and Travis Black talk about the Oz books, a few movies, a bit of how they'd like to see a new film version of Oz, the Annotated Wizard of Oz by Micheal Patrick Hearn (though they couldn't remember his name), and noting that, based on the press kits, Disney's Return to Oz seems to have been more honestly advertised in the United Kingdom than in the United States. (Here in the U.S., it was advertised as a fun family fantasy film.) Also, Aaron Pacentine interviews Joshua Dudley, author of the book Lost in Oz which is now serving as the basis for a comic book series. (Maybe when I can afford to, I'll pick up a copy.) Aside from talking about the books and comics, Joshua also talks about his Oz collection, including Illusive Art's photocomic Dorothy and McDonald's Madame Alexander dolls, the first time these two topics have been mentioned on this show.

Once again, the episode can be dowloaded at http://www.videosforfamily.com/returntoozshow.htm.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Joshua Patrick Dudley aims to give a fresh look to the stories of Oz in his new book and soon-to-be-released comic series, Lost In Oz.

Nashua, NH —2007— Joshua Patrick Dudley, a 21-year-old New Hampshire resident, has released his first book, Lost in Oz. When four friends find themselves lost in a mysterious place, their only goal is to find a way home. When the only way home is through a young girl and her magical shoes, how much are they willing to sacrifice to catch her?

Told in first person, present tense, Lost in Oz related the adventures of protagonists Joshua and Tamara along with their friends Tommy and Laura as they travel down the yellow brick road in this all new action packed adventure. Along the way, they will come to terms with aspects of this amazing fantasy world and how it affects them personally; be it a realization about their inherent natures or a rationalization of the dark deeds that they need to commit in order to get home. Readers will be surprised when they meet Dorothy Gale and her friends for the first time. As the characters retrace Dorothy’s famous path, things begin to change, and the original story is completely altered by their interaction with it. A new prophecy for Oz and its peoples will be revealed in this exciting new novel. Oz will never be the same.

Mr. Dudley wrote Lost In Oz to retell a famous story he has always loved by giving it his own fresh twist. Though the book may be a bit scary for children, the author intends the story to be enjoyed by all ages. Students of Baum and Thompson will be pleasantly surprised to see nods to familiar characters. Readers familiar with only the movie will also enjoy the tale.

The most recent development in the Lost In Oz saga is the graphic novel interpretation. The comic book is created using photos instead of illustrations and offers readers a more “in depth” version of the original story, with deeper plots and more twists.

The book is exclusively available online at www.LostInOzBook.com. Paperbacks are $9.99 and hard-covers are $19.99.

ABOUT THE AUTHORJoshua Patrick Dudley, 21, was born and raised in Hooksett, New Hampshire. The son of Laurel Levesque and Michael Dudley and brother to Tamara, Meghan and Caitlin Dudley, Joshua has always been exposed to the arts.

His fascination and love for the stories of Oz started when he was just two years old, when he and his mother shared his first viewing of the MGM classic film The Wizard of Oz. From that point on Joshua was obsessed with the magical land and its inhabitants.

Joshua Patrick Dudley aims to give a fresh look to the stories of Oz in his new book and soon-to-be-released comic series, Lost In Oz.

Nashua, NH—March 20, 2007— Joshua Patrick Dudley, a 21-year-old New Hampshire resident, has released his first book, Lost in Oz. When four friends find themselves lost in a mysterious place, their only goal is to find a way home. When the only way home is through a young girl and her magical shoes, how much are they willing to sacrifice to catch her?

Follow Joshua, Tamara, Tommy and Laura down the yellow brick road in this all new action packed adventure. Be amazed when they meet Dorothy Gale and her gang of misfits for the first time, be in awe as they do battle with the Witch of the West, cross your fingers and hope they make it home alive. A new prophecy for Oz and its inhabitants will be revealed in this exciting new novel. Oz will never be the same.

Mr. Dudley wrote Lost In Oz to share a famous story he has always loved, by giving it his own fresh twist. Though the book may be a bit scary for children, Joshua says the story was written for everyone to enjoy and he hopes they do!

The most recent development in the Lost In Oz saga is the graphic novel interpretation. The comic is created using photos instead of illustrations and offers readers a more “in depth” version of the original story, with deeper plots and more twists.

Chapter One of the graphic novel has a tentative release date of July 1, 2007.

The book is exclusively available online at www.LostInOzBook.com. Paperbacks are $9.99 and hard-covers are $19.99.

ABOUT THE AUTHORJoshua Patrick Dudley, 21, was born and raised in Hooksett, New Hampshire. Son of Laurel Levesque and Michael Dudley and brother to Tamara, Meghan and Caitlin Dudley, Joshua has always been exposed to the arts.

His fascination and love for the stories of Oz started when he was just two years old; he and his mother shared his first viewing of the MGM classic, “The Wizard of Oz.” From that point on Joshua was obsessed with the magical land and its inhabitants.

Sharon Ray wrote a wonderfully simple article on her blog, Curiozity Corner, about Lost In Oz.

It read:

Joshua P. Dudley's debut effort Lost in Oz will receive the graphic novel treatment starting late spring. Info on the novel can be found at http://www.lostinozbook.com/Look for a review in a forthcoming issue of The Baum Bugle. Check out these links for additional info.

Friday, February 23, 2007

This is a one shot sort of deal. A quick preview of what's to come. This is the first page of the GN version of Lost In Oz. It'll have a few more things in it when it gets printed, but for now, a preview!!